Samsung’s new SmartTag 3 debuts with next-gen Bluetooth – and one big problem

Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag 3 is now available for purchase in the US, promising a smaller, lighter design than previous generations, compatibility with iOS devices, 550 days of battery life, an NFC-powered Lost Mode, Left Behind Alerts, and an IP67 dust- and water-resistant rating.

Though the Galaxy SmartTag 3 is compatible with iOS devices, the features available to Apple fans are limited, with Ring Phone, Left Behind Alerts, and Compass View reserved for Galaxy users. Compass View is enabled by Bluetooth Channel Sounding, an upgraded Bluetooth distance-finding technology. Despite Samsung embracing a low-cost boost to device tracking, Channel Sounding is locked inside the Galaxy ecosystem, a blow to the technology’s intended purpose.

Also: 3 ways Bluetooth 7 upgrades your devices beyond lossless audio

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